CHAPTER 7
V.1
After this I saw (a)four angels standing on the four corners of the (b)earth, holding fast the four (c)winds of the earth, in order that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any (c)tree.
(a) "Four;" always denotes dealings of the Almighty with earth.
(b) "Earth;" (Str. 1093) the whole land and occupants.
(c) "Winds of the earth;" (see Jer. 49:36,) wind always damaging when it affects trees. The trees of the world are the replenishers of oxygen from Co2, and their damage has serious consequences for the world's eco-systems. The fact that this verse shows impending ravages on the earth and its occupants is significant in the context of chapter 6. However, the release of the ravages is delayed for a purpose.
V.2
And I saw another angel ascending from the (a)sun rising, having (a)a seal of the (b)living God: and (c)he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
(a) "Sun rising;" this may be mentioned to show God's control of all elements, and His use of them at His WILL, i.e. the reversing of the Sun 10o to confirm to Hezekiah that his life was extended 15 years, (2 Kings 20 and Isa. 38,) and also to refute the ancient Egyptian and others worship of the Sun. The Authorised translates, "the seal," but the Interlinear states "a seal." The Str. number (4973) renders the meaning "of private marking," and "fencing in, or protection from misappropriation," or danger, see comments V.3(a) below.
(b) "Living God;" as clearly opposed to stone, wood idols etc., the word "living," also means life in all forms including resurrected life.
(c) "He," angels always referred to as male!
Saying, "Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have (a)sealed the (b)servants of our God, in their foreheads."
(a) "Sealed;" in Matt. 24:31, an account is given of the collecting of "the elect." This may refer in part to the "sealed," but certainly refers to Jews who receive the Word during the "Great Tribulation." This reference to "sealing" is to"servants" of special order. The reason for the sealing is to protect from harm during the Tribulation period, which has its precedent in Num. 31, where 12,000 (one thousand from each tribe) were called by Moses to war against the Midianites, and not one man was lost (Num. 31:49.) Also particularly in Ezk. 9:4, where prior to the judgement and dispersion of Israel by Jehovah, and also His departure from the Temple, Jews who mourned and regretted the sin of Israel were marked for protection! This protection during the service (probably evangelism of the Kingdom Gospel,) they are to perform on the earth. They will clearly have success, as is shown by the results, see (ref. Rev. 7:9-17.) The fact that these are a distinct group of Jews only, and that as shown peoples of many nations are before the throne in this vision drawn out of the Tribulation; is a clear definition between the Body of Christ which is made up of all peoples, in the age prior to the Revelation period, and the group in V.9.
(b) In Scripture, servants are always of Israel, Isa. 49:3.
V.4
And I heard the number of the sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the (a)children of Israel.
(a) "Children;" the Greek word is "Huios," which is a son or male (Str. 5207 and Comp. Appendix 108:3.) Therefore all the "sealed" are males, and are sealed for a purpose. 12,000 from each Jewish tribe. As most Jews do not know their tribe of origin, this is a demonstration of God's knowledge of all detail pertaining to the creation.
V.5
Of the tribe of Judah 12,000. Of the tribe of Reuben 12,000. Of the tribe of Gad 12,000.
V.6
Of the tribe of Aser 12,000. Of the tribe of Nepthalim 12,000. Of the tribe of Manasses 12,000.
V.7
Of the tribe of Simeon 12,000. Of the tribe of Levi 12,000. Of the tribe of Issachar 12,000.
V.8
Of the tribe of Zabulon 12,000. Of the tribe of Joseph 12,000. Of the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
After this I saw, and, behold, (a)a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, were standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, (b)clothed with white robes, and (c)palms in their hands;
(a) This multitude is clearly made up of all nations of the world. This vision is a leap forward showing John and by implication anyone who can "see," that not just Jews are to be in this group, and the events from which they derive, (Isa. 49:6.)
(b) "Clothed with white robes;" V.14 below clearly describes the reason for these "white robes." They are worn only by those people who are persecuted, many to death, for their testimony and faith in Christ Jesus, during the Great Tribulation period. This clearly shows that as the Church of Christ (the true Body) has probably by this time been taken from the earth, that many people are truly converted to Christ in the terrible time of Antichrist rule and Tribulation. It also shows that although the main object of persecution by Antichrist is the Jews, any showing sympathy or kindness to Jews will also be so persecuted. It is interesting to note that the only test for the sheep and goat judgment at the beginning of Millennial by Christ is: "In as much as ye have done it unto one of even the least of these my brethren (Jews,) ye have done it unto Me," (Matt. 25:40.)
(c) "Palms;" the people of Jerusalem held and waved these, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, crying "Hosanna" meaning "save now" or "help now," (Aramaiac = Hoshian -An) (Matt. 21:9-15) (Psm. 118:25-26.) The fulfilling on earth for Israel is yet to be, but the event shown to John in heaven is the fulfilment in heaven before the event. The reason for the holding and waving of palms etc., goes back to Lev.23:34-43, which in summary is a celebration of HARVEST, and DELIVERANCE from evil.
V.10
And they cry with a great voice, saying, (a)"Salvation to our God Which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb."
(a) "Salvation;" has multiple meaning, (Str. 4991 rescuer, deliver, saviour.) (Str. 4990 A deliverer, saviour.) (Str. 4982 to save, deliver, to protect, heal, preserve make whole.) These many part meanings do not do justice to this event, as this great multitude of "white robed persons," angels, elders and Zoa, do heartfelt homage to God the Father.
V.11
And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four Zoa, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God.
Saying (a)"Amen: (b)Blessing, and (b)glory, and (b)wisdom, and (b)thanksgiving, and (b)honour, and (b)power, and (b)might, be unto our God for ever and ever. (a)Amen."
(a) "Amen;" the meaning of this word in Chp. 3:14, is Christ Himself, speaking to the 7 churches. In 2 Cor. 1:20, the original Hebrew word is translated "verily," or truly, or Truth. As He is the Truth (Jn. 14:6) (Isa. 65:16) where"the God of Truth" is "the God of Amen," we can summarise by saying that it is one of the profound descriptions of the Godhead; and therefore eminently suitable for a beginning and ending of the sevenfold (spiritually perfect,) ascription that the host worshipping God are saying.
(b) Seven fold ascription.
V.13
And one of the elders asked, saying unto me, (a)"Who are these that are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"
(a) See comment on V.9 above.
And I said unto him, "my Lord, thou knowest." And he said to me, (a)"These are they who came out of The Great Tribulation, (b)and washed their robes, and made them white by the blood of the Lamb.
(a) See comment on V.9 above. There are many teachers (if not most!) that emphatically state that the ones referred to here are all Christians of all ages (i.e. different age times.) One of the justifications for that view is the reference in Rev. 4:1; "After these things," i.e. taught as after the seven churches of Rev. 2 and 3, and implying or stating that at that juncture (i.e. between Chp. 3 and 4) the Translation of the Church (the Body of Christ) shall have taken place. This seems to be a majority view. However, the writer at this stage in time (Jan. 2001) does not hold to that view. To pivot so emphatically on Rev. 4:1 seems perverse, and stretches or ignores the meanings of Rev. 1:10 (see notes,) where "the Day of the Lord (i.e. Jehovah,) to the writer seems the most profound pivot point in time, and is repeatedly referred to throughout the Old Testament, as one of the most profound changes on earth brought about by the Almighty. Also the whole scene is set by Christ before He addresses the 7 churches, where, predominantly "overcoming" is a repeated exhortation, and specific time is given to "endure" to Smyrna of 10 days! Whereas, specific times are carefully avoided in general in the New Testament, but time given in “days” generally in Scripture refer to troubled times in the context of Israel! It is of course held by many not impossible that the Body of Christ is still on earth at that time and that "overcoming" is a later specific to be added to "faith." However, that would fly in the face of earlier teaching, especially by Paul, and would conflict with his writings, which were given veracity by our Lord’s comments “he is a chosen vessel!” As mentioned above, the writer at this stage holds to the view that "the 7 churches," are specific to the 7 year period yet to be enacted of Daniel's vision, (see Rev. 11:2,) which is in a different age (administration) of Jehovah, hence Christ’s new instruction and exhortation to them.
A further view is that the 7 ekklesia, (called out ones) refer to the history of the Jews at their various stages, which is a view developed by men in an attempt to explain the difference to earlier OldTestament standards, but ignores the fact that Christ never has dealt with Israel direct except in the flesh! (see Matt. 15:24 .) It is the failure of men and women to discern the changes in God’s administrations (ages,) with their changes of emphasis and rules, that has led, and still leads to wrong understanding and teaching. This leads to good hearted people being locked into wrong understandings and conflicting harmful teaching, with many people despairing. Most teaching groups are now iron-clad, and will not allow anything but their own standard view, even though they do not understand their own teaching, and are themselves confused.
(b) "Washed their robes;" this profound comment, defines the difference between these people, and the people of the Church (Body) of Christ. In the case of the latter, God sees the individual in Christ, through Christ, through faith alone. In the case of the former, "they wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb," so are accepted by the Father for their works and their faith in God and Christ in the Great Tribulation. Both groups have Christ as Saviour, in different dispensations.
V.l5
Because of this they are before the throne of God, and (a)serve Him continually in (b)His Temple: and He That sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
(a) "Serve;" also means worship in this case.
(b) "His Temple;" not the Jews Temple, as Christ said on earth, nor that of the Tribulation period, but possibly that of Ezekiel 40 to 43.
V.16
They shall (a)hunger no more, nor (a)thirst any more; nor shall the (a)sun light on them, nor any (a)heat.
(a) Clearly shows the horrors of the Great Tribulation, which corresponds with Matt. 24. etc.
V.17
(a)For the Lamb Which is in the midst of the throne will tend and shepherd them, and shall lead them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
(a) See Isa, 49:8-10, Jer. 31:9-25, Ezk. 47:1-12.
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